"Your thoughts Please?"

My homie Elvis (real name) texted me the other day and posed the title question about Kanye West's new album, Yeezus....at the time I told him that I had only listened to the album all the way thru once. Bye rule, I listen to albums three times before I commit to a critique.

So I took my time and listened to the cd a few more times, the old fashioned way....in the car, to and from work. After the first 2 listens, I didn't know what to think about the new electro beats and the screaming and dark nature of the project. But I always know that with real artists, you have to delve deeper to understand the true meaning of their overall theme....and they always have one. They take this shit very seriously. The craft....so I started to break down the songs' lyrics and the beats. I am notorious for taking time to warm up to albums and then loving them after listening and listening to them. I came to realize after 5 complete listens that I love the album and Kanye's progression.

The album is a classic to me for various reasons. First off, you can always tell when an artist is submerged in his/her craft. Kanye's vision for this album is clear......It's "FUCK YOU". Obviously, that was the mood of the artist at the time of the rendering of the project. Not only was it F u, but it was as one track puts it "I am a God"......"so hurry up wit my damn massage!". Kanye wants the listeners to know that no matter what you think about his personal life or his antics or even his lyric choice, you know that he is still a G.O.D. of rap that is and he was really key in its resurgence.

My boi Elvis, told me that what Kanye does on this album isn't hip-hop, and I told him that I respectfully disagree with him. With new production (daft punk), he has evolved....that's what artists do. Elvis is a devotee to hip hop's golden age, as am I. He is also from Brooklyn, so he really only recognizes East Coast music as "real" hip hop. What Kanye has done on Yeezus is transcend the notion of what hip hop really is. On "I  Am a God", the Hindi sample that he incorporates magnifies how hard the electronic beat hits. On "Im in It", Kanye spits about all kinds of sexual encounters, while still reminding the audience that he is on top. The bass timings of this song are eerie and sound like new visions to me. It's like him and Rick Rubin painted a new picture with colors never seen before.....The Nina Simone sample from "Blood on the leaves" is a haunting reminder of where we are still at as a society, it's one of the reasons that some white people think this album goes too far.

Kanye ends the album with "Bound 2". It's a cut that at first I thought was just a leftover from one of his previous albums. As I listened to the lyrics, I could tell that I was wrong in my assessment. He is rapping about being bound to one man or woman and love......how we all want love and need love. The way he paints this particular picture is in a humorous and realistic way..... "Close your eyes and let the words paint 1000 pictures/ One good girl is worth 1000 bitches". Charlie Wilson sings the hook, as well....enough said!

Yeezus is my album of the year so far and I'm sticking to that. I like when an artist has the guts to step out on a limb and reach for greatness. Knowing that he might fall on his face. Kanye doesn't mind falling and he doesn't really care if some of the masses are too closed minded to understand or even try to understand. He does him. He's in his moment....the album is 2x dope. Get into it.

-tshurn

Put me in, Coach. I want to win.

I've got this list - a list of people I'd like to spend the day with, have a few drinks with, engage in conversation with...if I could ever be so lucky. Charles Barkley, Edward Norton, James Franco, and Bill Simmons to just name a few. The list hasn't changed much over the past few years but a name just recently made its way to the top of that list - Coach Pat Summitt.

A fan of ESPN's 30 for 30s, I was so excited to hear about the release of Nine for IXs, nine documentaries recognizing some of the greatest female game changers in sport history. The documentaries kicked off 2 weeks ago with a telling story of Venus Williams and how she brought awareness to women's tennis - equality was sought out, not just in interest of the sport, but also in winnings. Even those who do not follow tennis know the name; the Williams sisters have dominated the sport, but to learn about how they got to where they are now, that was a story in itself.

While 'Venus VS' was informative, last week's 'Pat XO' was all heart. Pat Summitt is the face of the Lady Vols, a basketball program that has gained more recognition than the men's over the past couple of decades. If you didn't know Pat Summitt before, you definitely respected her after watching 'Pat XO.' Her coaching methods not only made winners out of players on the court, but off the court, as well.

The presentation of the film was ingenious. Pat Summitt didn't usually reveal much softness about her. As a fan, all we saw was the focused Coach Summitt that occasionally blessed us with a smile upon victory. Conference Titles, National Championships, 100% graduation rate, and a handful of the biggest names in women's basketball under her wing - these are the bullets on her resume. The film highlighted clips of friends, family, and colleagues, which provided the fine print between her accolades. A softer side to the hard-ass coach was portrayed. Now you not only respected her, you loved her, too. Loved the way she taught, loved the way she raised her son, loved what she did for the sport, hated how she had to end her term so early but loved how she did it so gracefully and with such dignity.

When I picture Pat Summitt, I either have an image of her staring down one of her players...

or her standing on a ladder cutting down the net...

There are definitely less memorable images to have of someone. Coach Pat Summitt is a legend, and directors Lisa Lax and Nancy Stern Winters did an excellent job of portraying her as one in the film 'Pat XO.'


-bObD.

The Eyes of Texas are very much upon us.

NBA off-season has got my head spinning and hurting. It's nerve wrecking for a Mavs fan to sit idly as the organization feebly tries to put together a winning team. A team that can make the playoffs and can be Championship contenders. We were just there. It's nauseating. So is waiting for football season to kick off. And then there's this video...

If you're any bit a Longhorn, you've already seen this video...not once, not twice, not three times...over and over again the video gets me hyped. Chills run down my back, goosebumps have nothing on the raised hairs on my forearms.

I'm ready for the Longhorns to make a leader out of Ash. No more benching Ash and seeing if little McCoy can save the play every other down or late in the second half. This is Ash's junior year - this is it. Time to extend plays confidently, three and outs are unacceptable. His 67.3 completion percentage was nothing to be ashamed of. It is a percentage that needs to be executed to the max this year.

Cue Mike Davis. I've got a soft spot for the Shipleys, but this is Mike Davis's year. #AshtoDavis will be trending every week. 100 yard reception games will be expected, not celebrated. Shipley and Davis have the hands, we just need the running backs to bring it with their feet. A healthy Brown and an improved Gray will complete the offensive palette. The colors will all come together and Longhorn Nation will proudly bleed burnt orange this season.


-bObD.

What are the chances???

The enigma that is Dwight Howard? What is he thinking? Is it gonna be Dallas, Houston, Golden St., Atlanta, or the incumbant Lakers? Who knows with this guy? Today he could say he is going to sign with Dallas and then do a 180 and return to L.A. before the reports can be fully confirmed. The only real thing that we know about about Howard is that his game is the real deal. Alot of times in America we confuse perception with reality. Ever since Howard had his indecisive moments last year in Orlando he has been vilafied and by response people have deminished his ability. Now, how does that happen? He is the same player that he has always been. He was hurt last year, playing thru lingering back problems and shoulder issues, and the guy still averaged 17-12-2. Not bad for a guy that was visibly hurt throughout the year. There is a reason why all these teams want the services of this guy. Let's remember his assets....He is 6'11'', rebounds at a high rate, shoots over 50 % from the field; blocks over 2 shots per game; and if he is the focal point of the offense (which he should be) he will averaged over 20 points a game. And lets be real, Howard should be more advance offensively, but we can't make the guy something that he is not. He is not an offensive stallwart. I doubt that he ever will be, but with what he does bring he is still the best 5 man in the league. If you call yourself a true fan of any of the teams involved in the D12 sweepstakes then it would be disingenuine to say, "We don't want him". We gotta stop living and breathing off of emotion alone. "I don't like him".....well ask yourself a question....Would you like him if he averaged 23-13-3 next year for your team and led you to the NBA finals? Shit, I know I would. I don't like all the drama, but maybe the guy just needs to mature a little bit and kill his ego. I know alot of grown men that need that (moi included). Anyway, I hope the Mavs get him and we ride off into the sunset with D12 and Dirty Dirk leading us into a new era.....maybe we will find out today, but if I'm going off of history then I doubt it. I won't believe anything till the papers are signed.


-tshurn

You Don't Have to Like the Decision.

The 2013 NBA season has come to an end, with the Miami Heat as the victors, to many people's disdain. Not enough can be said about the Finals this year - an epic series with several players that will go down as some of the best to play the game.

You either love the Heat or hate the Heat. You either love the act of domination and their perseverance to triangulate themselves on the same team, or you think The Decision just exposed one of the weaknesses of the league. There will be no comparison here. No MJ vs LBJ. Just an admiration for talent. You do not have to love LeBron James, but if you call yourself a fan of anything remotely athletic, you have to appreciate his talent.

"I don't know my ceiling. I don't stop trying to improve my game..." said LeBron in response to his 4th MVP award. The ceiling did not get in the way of another ring.

While LeBron did not dominate throughout the entire playoffs, with numbers reflecting somewhat mediocre play, he rose to the occasion as most greats do. One of the many memorable moments of this year's playoffs...

Paul George may have overplayed on the left side, but James finished in such timely fashion. It was amazing. An amazing finish.

And on defense...

Splitter didn't stand a chance.

Congratulations, LeBron...this is your greatness, this is your time.

-bObD.

Groupon Hates Your Stuffed Animals.

Over 140 bought. Limited quantity available.

Hurry, your chance to have all your children's stuffed animals together in one big orgy just minutes before they are hung to death is running out! Groupon Goods has a Stuffed Animal Organizer on sale for $29.99. For less than $30, you can string up to 42 stuffed animals, action figures, and dolls. So now they are off the floor and tied up...what does little Christopher do when he wants to play with his Batman, but his Batman is involved in a tangled war with 3 of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3/4 of the way up the pole and out of poor Christopher's reach? You tell your son Batman has been released from the evil elastic bands but now must be the action figure for the week because removing more than one toy from the organizer would be the beginning of a mess and defeat the purpose of the organizer. And if he doesn't understand and asks why, you say, "Because I said so."

Do kids these days still have stuffed animals? Aren't most pets and toys virtual these days? Whatever happened to Tamagotchis? Forty-two...that's like averaging 5 stuffed toys annually the first 8 years of your life. Seems a bit excessive. But then again, any number less than 5 on this contraption almost appears unpleasant or painful. What did that poor doll do to deserve to be strapped atop the 56" pole? Is there a big red A stitched on her dress? Is it really just a clever way of organizing or the beginning of the end for these stuffed animals?

-bObD.

1-N-Done...down, but not out!

I was playing a strategic game. I seem to have had a good grasp on it - the stars were, for the most part, aligned and my selected players were doing their part. Then came round 2 where points were doubled. A 3-pointer counted as 6, a rebound was scored as a 2-pointer. Nothing was going my way...the Mega Ball was always a digit off. Whether it was Belinelli, Jarrett Jack, or Klay Thompson, I seem to have picked the underperforming, ugly duckling of the night. I picked the right guys, just on the wrong day. But that's how this game goes.

Round 2 was tough. I haven't had to make decisions like that since high school when I coordinated my kicks with my tees...Nike Shox, Air Max 90s, Jordans, Nike Uptempos...Doc Martins. Each morning I spent a good 10-20 minutes deciding which pair to put on. Decades later, I am still making those morning decisions, along with others. Having to run the Bulls' roster dry, knowing it was not likely they would advance. Second guessing the experience of the Spurs and possibly giving into the fight of the Warriors. Enduring a painful Knicks/Pacers series. And losing sleep over the unpredictable Thunder/Grizzlies games. I am somewhat relieved the 2nd round is over - I lost a lot of ground in points.

Who am I kidding - it is not getting any easier. Points are now tripled. How long do you hold out on the big names? With the matchups presented, are the big names guaranteed to put up big numbers? Two-fifths of my Pacers line-up have already been played - how confident am I that the Heat will win? And in how many? There is no room for error. Kicks have been chosen and laced. Game on.


-bObD.

Tasty Run.

How often do you get to be a part of a "First Annual" anything? This year I got to run AND eat in the first annual Tasty Run. I am, by no means, an avid runner. To be honest, I am no runner at all. I partake in the Race for the Cure annually because it's Susan G. Komen...and it's for a good cause. And you get a crap load of freebies at the end of the race. But mainly because it's for a good cause.

When I heard about the Tasty Run, a 5K with tasting stations along the course, I was sold. I did not care what the cause was. For all I was concerned, the cause was my hyperactive thyroid and insatiable desire to eat. The fact that I could get a workout while eating, it was a total win-win situation for me. I have never been so excited to run before.

Shortly after the start of the race was the first station. No one was ready for it, including myself. La Madeline had a spread of chocolate croissants and their strawberry romanoffs, which I swear are laced with crack. By the time I realized I had approached the first of five food stations, my momentum only allowed me to grab one croissant and the largest strawberry I could see. I was so excited, I didn't know what to do - eat the strawberry? Eat the croissant? Keep running? Turn around and grab another strawberry?

Before I could establish a plan of action, I began to smell the next station. Genghis Grill had Teriyaki Chicken and Rice. Oooh-wee it smelled good! They had the food in a jello-shot cup so the only appropriate way to eat the food sample was to shoot it. You know, just like when you're downtown and it's your friend's 21st birthday.  It was no unlimited bowl, but it hit the spot. And if not careful, it hit the wrong spot. One of the keys to running, and exercising in general, is rhythmic and controlled breathing. Inhaling a mouthful of chicken and rice can throw that breathing off. Just a tad.

Raising Canes blessed the runners with some fresh-squeezed lemonade. While I could have done without the ice chunks in my lemonade, it was quite refreshing. Just before the 2-mile marker, Tiff's Treats had a table full of cookies, whole cookies. They were amazing. I ate the entire cookie. I didn't really have choice seeing as how there were no trash cans in site after passing the table. It's okay though - by this time, I had already decided this event was no longer a running event, but rather an eating event.

The last tasting station was hosted by On The Border. What better way to represent a mexican food station than with mini burritos and sopapillas! I knew it was the last stop before the finish line, so I made the most of it by taking pictures with the sopapilla girls, while enjoying a mouthful of fried pastry.

I finished the race in a record, slow time of 47:43 and continued onto the Dos Equis afterparty where we were greeted with whole cans of Dos Equis. While some may not think chugging a beer is the best way to hydrate after a run, I was surrounded by runners that would disagree.

The Warriors Uncut.

During a time when people of all ages are hyped about the summer movie releases, there seems to be another form of entertainment stealing the show. While you have your fair share of Marvel fans lining up to see Iron Man, the same number of fans are glued to the TV watching super human athletes battle on the basketball court. The Great Gatsby explores resistance to change, while the Chicago Bulls exhibit the fight to stay alive.

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are no Vin Diesel and Paul Walker, but some say they are trying to pull off a high-octane heist against the San Antonio Spurs. A team many people counted out when David Lee went down, Golden State is still in it. They're going for the Oscar...the Best Series...the Larry O'Brien, they want to win it all.

I find it more fitting now, than before, to deliver this movie poster showcasing the three talents carrying the Warriors. How can you deny these young men another series win? Especially after a career performance from Harrison Barnes. When Curry and Thompson struggled offensively, and Bogut got into early foul trouble, Barnes took over. The team remained composed and continued to play their game. Their game is what continues to bring them back from deficits. Their game is what held the Spurs in overtime. Their game has evened the series to 2 a piece.

With the exception of Rose, no other player has been trending more during the playoffs than Curry. And while Rose is showing no signs of returning to the court this year, Curry is showing no signs of stopping or slowing down, despite his ailing ankle. The sportscasters like to bring attention to the noise the fans bring to the "Roaracle." How about the social media noise? Where did all these Golden State fans come from? One hundred plus decibels is followed by hundreds of thousands of live tweets. When did everyone become Curry's number one fan? The last time I remember so many fans coming out of nowhere was when the Phoenix Suns ran with KJ and Majerle in the early 90's. All-Star and fan favorites stacked, they fell short of the championship. Are the Warriors poised for a different outcome? Will these fans continue to line-up for this starring backcourt?

This series is nothing short of thrilling and spectacular, and I cannot wait for Game 5!


-bObD.

The D Rose Debacle

I need to start this post off by saying that I am a huge Derrick Rose fan. Ever since I saw him on the AAU circuit as a 16 year old, I knew he was special. He is obviously special.....if you know basketball that's not even a question. I admired him at Memphis, and since he was drafted by his hometown team, The Chicago Bulls. The kid clearly has his head on straight. He has handled every situation with class, honesty, and real emotion. Derrick Rose seems to be a genuine person, on and off the court. All that being said, I have a problem with the situation that is going on right now in the playoffs. When my homie bObD and I decided to start this blog, I said to myself that I wasn't going to jump to conclusions on people and judge people that I don't know personally, off of iffy facts and ignorance. I still hold true that premise. But this situation that has evolved in Chicago is very, very interesting. Derrick Rose was medically cleared to play basketball 3 months ago. He has been practicing with his team in 5 on 5 scrimmages for 2 months....2 months!! By all accounts there hasn't been a setback since he has been practicing and sources say that he looks good. Then comes the quotes from family, the Bulls, and Derrick himself.  His brother and his mother have been talking to the press way too much in my humble opinion. Reggie Rose (Derrick's brother), has come out and said that it is all mental and Derrick doesn't trust the knee. Derrick's mom has basically said the same thing. The Bulls will not come out and shut the kid down for the rest of the playoffs. Derrick himself, who doesn't say a lot, said that "anything's possible". Hmmm. What does all this crap mean? To add to all this stuff.....The Bulls players themselves (the only ones that really matter) are battling. These guys won a series that, as shorthanded as they were, they shouldn't have won. They won off of defense, grit, bravery, teamwork, grit, toughness, trust, grit, and mettle. This team is a TEAM. Something you rarely see on the landscape in the NBA. A unique team that has won my heart. I love watching them. I love how they compete. I love lil Robinson. I LOVE Noah....he's the guy I will show my son, when I show him how to compete on every play. The bottom line is that the TEAM deserves more than the Bulls brass is giving them. They deserve to know whether or not they are going to get help from the cornerstone of the organization, who seems to be healthy. After last night's dismantling by the Heat, will DRose decide to play Friday night? Have they already shut him down within the organization??? Do the players know? If he is healthy now, why hasn't he played before this? I cannot remember anything like this before. I have never been the kind of guy that believes that a player needs to listen to the court of public opinion or play for the fans in particular. I do believe that a star has an obligation to his team. Especially a team that's as special as this one......I can't wait till Friday.